Being Billed for Services Not Rendered During Lockdown (UK, 2020)

Question

My accommodation for the 2019/20 academic year included certain housekeeping benefits---these are in-built into the price, not billed separately. The exactly details are not so important, but the UK lockdown (starting March 2020) meant that these had to be cancelled. I completely support the decision to remove the services---it would involve housekeeping agents visiting many houses; clearly very dangerous.

However, come bill-time, the accommodation provided, which is the university/college, is refusing any reduction in the rent. The provision of these housekeeping benefits are clearly stated on the company's website and in the "handbook" describing obligations of the student/provider.

Note that I remained in the property throughout the entire lockdown. The provider's reason for not providing a reduction boils down to roughly the following:

• the rent is already subsidised (seems irrelevant)
• giving reductions would limit the ability of the university/college to support students in the future (they're insanely rich, btw);
• students were given the option to remain (I'm fairly sure eviction in this context was prohibited during the lockdown)

Do I have a right to demand a suitable[*] reduction in rent? [*What comprises suitable can be discussed elsewhere.]

I am sure that there are many other students in similar situations, where their accommodation has not provided what was promised but are being told to pay up anyway. I hope that this question can become a base-point for others to gain relevant information. (Feel free to make it a community wiki if that is useful.)

Answer 1

You have no legal right to a refund/rebate

You are only entitled to a refund if there is a total and utter failure of consideration by the supplier - that is, they provided none of what they contracted to supply. They have provided the accommodation so there is no total and utter failure.

However, because they did not provide everything that they were contracted to provide they have breached the contract and you can sue for the damage that caused you. For example, if the contract provided for cleaning services you would be entitled to demand reimbursement for the cleaning products you used and reasonable payment for your time in providing those services yourself.